The Slice - How to Stop This Nightmare

Mastering the accuracy  of their shot, especially when using a longer club is probably the most common problem that beginners face. It seems that the ball has a mind of its own and will go in any direction except where you want it to go. There are a few techniques you can learn to help fix these wayward shots.

The Slice: A Main Problem for the Beginner

This is probably the most frustrating of all experiences for a beginner to the game of golf. The ball, with a perfect amount of loft, starts off going straight and then suddenly out of the blue, veers off to the right . This results in the ball landing in either a danger zone, out of bounds, in the trees or rough and usually far away from the intended target.

A sliced ball does not travel very far as the wind takes it off to the right and this is a problem even the most regular golf players on the course spend several hours trying to eliminate.

You are clearly not the only one with this problem as if you take a look at any driving range, you will see many sliced ball shots, right handed shots flying to the right and left handed to the left. This can, however, be put right. With a little work studying proper techniques you can be well on your way to learning how to prevent the slice shot.

Causes Of A Slice: Slicing the ball occurs when the clubface is open in relation to the swing path. At the point of impact if your clubface is turned open the ball will have a large amount of clockwise side spin and it is the side spin that causes the slice. Hitting the ball at a fast speed can also cause it to slice.

If your swing is exaggeratedly outside-in, your clubface will hit the ball with a cut-throat right-to-left action. The ball will also make a clockwise spin and then slice. A combination of these two mistakes will result in little chance of the ball being kept in play.

Watch Your Body Language: If you use your body more than your hands and arms when swinging, it is more likely that you will slice the ball. If you are conscious of making a bad shot and hold your body rigid and tense it makes it easier for the clubface to impact the ball at an angle.

Watch and learn. Take the time to check out some of the good golfers at your local course. You will see that the ones who appear to be relaxed and have a lazy swing hardly ever slice the shot.